It Feels Like Christmas!

out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed and the taxing was first made when Sirenius was governor of Syria and all went to be taxed everyone into his own city and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth under Judea the city of David which is called Bethlehem because it was the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary as a spouse wife and great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the end.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men."

And it came to pass, as angels were gone away from them into the heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even into Bethlehem, and see the things which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the same which was told them concerning the this child. And all they that heard wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them.

You know, it's sometimes it's hard to really get in that Christmas spirit and especially for those of you from the mainland here in Hawaii, there's no snow, there's no a lot of things aren't happening and when Christmas day falls and all the rest of but what is it that makes it feel like Christmas to you? What's the what is it that you know it feels like Christmas now? What is it that does that for you? Maybe for some of you it's the snow. How many of you just don't feel like it's Christmas if you don't have snow? Raise your hand. All right, I can help you out with that part there. We're going to get a little bit of snow going here.

And so now, now does it feel like Christmas? We got a little bit of snow going there. Uh in Isaiah 1 and verse number 18, I better stop that cuz my going to get wet here. There we go. In Isaiah 1 18 says, "Come now and let us reason together, sayeth the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Though they be red light crisis, they shall be as wool. Here in Hawaii, we don't get snow. We had our snow day yesterday for the kids, but it's not something we normally experience here, especially in Aahu. And for a lot of people, having snow makes it feel like Christmas, but it also remind us that that God sent his son to wash us white as snow.

Uh, and so maybe it's snow. Maybe it's what makes it feel real to you is having a tree. How many have got your tree up? How many are yet to get your tree up? And how many are not going to put up a No, D. But you know, maybe having a a tree. But you know what makes even more feel more real is is you have a real tree versus an artificial tree, right? Chapter 2: John How many of you are the real tree people? Raise your hand. You got to have a real tree. All right. How many of artificial tree? And how many are just looking for the cheapest thing you can get by with? All right. And maybe that's you.

But whether it should be real or artificial in Acts chapter 5 and verse number 30, the Bible says, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom he slew and hanged on a tree." The most important thing to remember that the reason that Jesus was born so that he could die upon a tree and he died upon a tree for you and I to save us from our sins. You know, the tree is an evergreen tree and it reminds us of everlasting life. [snorts] If you get a real tree, you know that smell, the the the that evergreen, that pine smell. It's just something about that. Uh and in Ephesians chapter 5:es 1 and 2, it says, "Be therefore followers of God as your children, and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us in offering a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor."

And just something about smelling that pine smell when you walk in the house that just makes it feel like Christmas. And to remember that sweet smelling savor of our sac of the sacrifice of our savior upon the cross, the one who gave his life for us. You know, an artificial tree, they're they don't produce fruit, but a real tree does. In Luke chapter 6, turn over there if you would me. Luke chapter 6 and look at verses 43 and 40 through 45. Luke chapter 6, beginning with verse number 43. Luke 6:43. And he said, "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities." That's not the verse I want. I'm in chapter four.

Give me a let me get a couple more chapters over here. Right. All right. Luke chapter 6 and:es 43-4. Says, "For a good tree bringeth forth not forth corrupt fruit, neither does the corrupt tree bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit, for of thorns of men do not uh do not gather. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor a bramble bush Chapter 3: Matthew.16 gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good uh bringeth forth that which is good. An evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil. For by the events of the heart, the mouth speaketh.

You know, an artificial tree can't produce anything. It's got to be real. And we need to have that real relationship with Jesus Christ in order to produce fruit. It comes from our heart. It comes from that relationship with him. In Galatians 5:es 22- 23 says, "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ have crucified the flesh with the affections of lust. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. And and we need to make sure that in whether you choose a real tree or artificial tree for Christmas, that that's up to you.

But you need to make sure you have a real relationship with Jesus Christ and that you have him as your savior. You see, um, how many of you again, you're you're re you like real trees. Raise your hand. You're you're one of the people that like to have a real tree. You know, the fact is you may have a real tree, but it's not a living tree. It's dead. You killed it. In order to have that tree in your living room, you had somebody chop it down and kill it. It's sacrificed for you. The Bible says in John 15, verse number five, I am the vine, ye the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.

For without me, you could do nothing. You see, folks, this is not a dead religion. This is alive. Jesus Christ is alive. He died for us, but he's also living for us. And through him, we can have life also. And we need to remember as we look at that tree to remember that tree represents where he died. He came and was born so that he could die for you and I to give us eternal life, to give us new life in Christ. So maybe it's snow that makes Christmas feel real to you. Maybe it's the when you get the tree all up and everything, it makes it feel real. Or or maybe it's when you get that first present or the gift.

You know that when you find that first one under the tree when you Christmas morning you you walk in there and there's all those gifts on the tree. Maybe that's what makes it feel real to you. In John 3:16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Christmas is about giving. And so I thought that was about giving maybe we should give. How many who would like to have a gift? I've got one here for you. Anybody want to have a gift? Okay. getting all kinds of volunteers here. Raise your hand if you want a gift.

And don't be bashful here. Uh let's see. Who am I gonna give? I got You're sitting right up in the front row. I like people in the front row. So, I'm going to give you a gift. And we've also got one for those downstairs. So, Brother John's got that to give out. Somebody downstairs got to raise your hand and and get that gift as well. Uh now, that's it. I only got one gift to give out. So, don't get your hopes up here, folks. But you know in Romans chap 10:es 9 and 10 the Bible says that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised the dead thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. In Romans 10:13 it says for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You know I I couldn't give a gift to everybody but I can tell you what if you didn't raise your hand you didn't get a gift. See you you got to you got to receive it. You got you got to accept the gift of salvation. You've got to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. It's not something that's earned. You know, I don't know about you as parents, but I when my kids were little, I didn't say, "Okay, you got five bucks, you get your gift."

Hey, go out there, wash the car, and you get your gift. Go out, mow the lawn, you'll get your gift. You know, uh that's not how it works. A gift is not earned. In Ephesians 2:8:9, this says, "For by grace are you saved through faith." Then not of yourselves. It's the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. And I'm thankful that God's gifts do not have to be earned. But he gives us the gift of salvation freely. And all we have to do is accept his gift. And we need to have that relationship. You know what makes Christmas feel is having a real relationship with Jesus Christ. That's what makes it feel real.

In 1 John 5 12 and 13 says, "He that hath the son hath life. He that hath not the son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may believe on the name of the son of God. See, if you don't have the gift, you don't have it. And if you don't have Jesus Christ, you don't have salvation. And you need to put your faith and trust in him. So again, what is it makes Christmas feel real to you? Is it the snow? Is it the tree? Is it the gifts? Or is it the decorations? You know, Matthew 5 and 15-16 says, "Neither do men light a candle and put it on a bushel, but on a candlestick, and to give it light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven." You know, we've been so busy with the snow day and everything else. We haven't gotten any of our decorations up. And when you walk in a house, it just doesn't feel like Christmas. And uh you know when you don't get all those decorations up, they just kind of you know how many of you here like to go driving around look at the decorations other people put up. And I emphasize that other people put up you know uh that you don't have to do it and you get to go enjoy all that hard work and all that electricity that they're spending and all that all that the money they spent to buy those decorations.

You get to go enjoy all that light. And I'm thankful that God has called us to be the light of the world. And the world needs to see Jesus in our lives. They need to see that light during this season especially. And I hope that one of the things that you're doing this Christmas is making sure your light so shines. Not your decoration lights, but the light of your life, the light of Jesus Christ. The true meaning of Christmas. Or perhaps what makes it feels like Christmas for you is food. How many of you have a special food at Christmas? It's just it makes it when you eat that, it just brings back all the memories and makes you feel like this is Christmas.

How many have something like that? A lot of people do, you know, and many times it's culturally based or maybe some maybe it's something your mom made when you were growing up. But until you have that food, for my wife, it's lepsa. It's a it's a Minnesota thing. It's a Norwegian thing and they make from potatoes and making less makes it feel like Christmas for her, you know. And uh and whatever it might be, but the food that makes it feel so much like Christmas. In Psalms 34 verse number eight, the Bible says, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusts in him." Christmas time is a time to remember the goodness of God.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. If you're not saved, you need to find him as your savior. And if you're a Christian, every Christmas ought to remind you of the sacrifice of Christ. Every Christmas ought to remind you that God so loved you that he gave his only begotten son. And that that ought to be a reminder to make it feel like this is what Christmas is all about. So what makes it feel like Christmas to you? But what's not real about Christmas? There are some things that make Christmas feel real, but there's some things that are not real about Christmas. For one thing, it's way too soon to start Christmas before Halloween, isn't it?

You know, you know, the world wants to get going right away. And uh and and you know, it's it seems like it's way too soon. But you know what? What I think is way too late is we've all about Christmas, but it's not about Christ. We leave him till the last minute. In Psalms 63:es 1 and 2, it says, "Oh God, thou are my God. Early will I seek thee. My soul thirsteth for thee. My flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. To see thy power and thy glory so as I've seen thee in the sanctuary. You know, we get so busy getting ready for Christmas, we forget who Christmas is all about.

And and and Christmas starts way too soon commercially, but it starts way too late for a lot of us as Christians. We're so busy, we don't take time to really think about who are we celebrating and what are we celebrating. A lot of people complain that Christmas is too commercialized. In John chapter 2 and verse 16, Jesus said unto them that sold doves, "Take these things, hence make not my father's house a house of merchandise." And you know, there's nothing wrong with buying gifts and and going out shopping and getting on Amazon and Black Friday and all the rest of it, but Christmas is not just about the money we're going to spend.

It's not just about the gifts that we buy. And sometimes, again, I think the Lord wants to just say, "Let me clean out your lives of all the things of this world, and let me get you back focused on what's most important about Christmas." You know, the world encourages lust and selfishness for Christmas. I got to have that. I've got to have this. I've got to have the thing. It's all about what you want. In James chapter 4 and verse number three, it says, "You ask and receive not because you ask and miss that you may consume upon your own lust." And and and Christmas has come all become about what we can consume.

It encourages covetousness. In Luke 12 and verse1 15, he said unto them, "Take heed and beware covetousness, for a man's life consisted not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. Let's not make Christmas about what we can get, but let's make Christmas about Jesus. And let's not let it become commercialized." Again, there's nothing wrong with buying a nice gift for your loved one. There's nothing wrong with shopping. We've been we've been on Amazon buying things for our grandkids and and we might buy something for our kids too is if we have any money left over but uh you know uh it's good to go out there and buy all these things but it's more important to keep our focus on what's what is important.

A lot of the commercialization encourages waste. A lot of junk out there isn't there. uh you get we all get things for Christmas we you know we you just throw in the trash it's a lot of waste and in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 Jesus reminds us to be good stewards of what he's given to us and I hope we'll take time to be stewards of what God has given us as we buy gifts for others as well but others complain that Christmas is also too secularized it's too much about everything but Jesus in Romans chapter 1 and verse 21 it says because that when they knew God. They glorified but not as God. Neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations.

Their foolish heart was darkened. In verse 25, who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the creator who's blessed forever. Amen. Let's be honest. Chapter 4: Mark Most of the Christmas traditions are not about Jesus and they didn't come from the Bible. But you know what? We have gotten so far away from what Christmas is about. And it's not just the world, but even we as Christians have allowed that to happen in our lives. And we need to make sure that Jesus is an important part of Christmas. And it's not wrong to celebrate. Some people say, well, it has nothing to do with Jesus was all secular holiday.

I understand all of that. But yet, we just need to remember, first of all, Jesus was not born on December 25th. More likely born somewhere around September, October. We're not sure exactly when, but sometime in the fall. But that's okay. Let's just pick a day and celebrate. In Matthew 1 18, now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together, she was bound with child of the Holy Ghost. What's most important is Jesus was born, that he was born to Mary, that God sent him into this world for you and I. You know, I love nativity scenes.

I I love to look them. I've got we've got a number of different ones that are special to us. I've mentioned before that we've got one my mom got when we were little. It was a it's a cardboard nativity seat. It was on it was on the back of a cereal box and you took it all apart and then you got all the pieces there and you put them together. It is worn out and barely holding together. But boy, it's special to me because it brings back memories and and I love looking nativity scenes, but the truth is look look at Luke chapter 1. Luke chapter 1 and look at verses 1-4. that thou mayest know the certainty of those things which wherein thou hast been instructed.

There was in the days of Herod the king of Judah a certain priest named Zakrius and it goes on to talk about Mary and and how that uh Elizabeth first of all was told about the child and Mary and then we get into Luke chapter 2 and in verses 1-4 and it can say come to pass those days they went out of decree and we know the story and they that Joseph and Mary went to the city of Bethlehem and it gets down further in there and she was great with child and delivered the baby in a manger. We know all that story, but yet the truth is those nativity scenes aren't really biblical. Uh, as far as we know, there was no angels at the nativity.

They were out in the fields with the shepherds. They they weren't at the nativity. If you look at Luke chapter 2 and in verse number seven, it says they brought forth their firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, laid him in a manger. And then in verse 8, there were in the same country shepherds abide in the field. And and the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." One of the things that we need to remember is this is the angels came and told the shepherds, but God said, "You and I are to go and tell the world."

And that's what the shepherds did. Shepherds a little bit later on they they went out and when they had seen it, they made known abroad the same verse 17 which was told them concerning the child. And all they that heard it wondered these things which were told them by the shepherds. And and that's what God has called you and I to do. In Mark 16:15 it says he said unto them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." And you and I, especially at this time of the year, our job, our calling, our purpose is to tell the world about the true story of Christmas, about Jesus Christ. It's not the angel's job anymore.

That's you and I that are called to tell the world. The wise men, they were not there at the birth. They were probably never at the manger. The Bible remember tells us that when they told Herod about looking for the child, later on Herod killed all the children two years and younger. So Jesus may have been as old as two years by the time the wise men showed up. We don't know that for sure. Chapter 5: Acts But I I I don't think he that was at the nativity. But you know what? They came on a long hard journey so that they could worship him. In Jeremiah 29:13, the Bible says, "And you shall seek me and find me when you shall search me with all your heart."

And like the wise men, we need to search for Jesus. And like the wise men, we need to come and bow down and worship him and present him with the gift of our life to give him a living sacrifice of ourselves to the Lord. There was no talking animals at the nativity. There was no drummer boy. There was no aliens, but there was the greatest story ever told. And the problem is the world has forgotten that story. But you and I have it. And if they're going to hear it, they're not going to hear it on TV specials. They're not going to see it on on the internet and on Facebook and videos and reals. They're going to hear it from you.

They're going to hear from me. And let's make sure that we are the light of the world that people can see Jesus in our homes, in our family, in our lives. And let's make sure we take time to tell them. Take time to invite them out to church this year. Somebody did a study and said that 80% of the people surveyed said if a friend or neighbor invited them to church, they would come for Christmas. Then why aren't you inviting them? Let's be sure that we don't forget what Christmas is all about. We complain, "Oh, Christmas is too secularized." But yet, we have fallen in that same trap as Christians.

Then we complain, well, Christmas is too sanitized. You know, it's got Santa Claus. Now, if you still be believe in Santa Claus, please plug your ears right now because I'm going to tell you the truth. He's not real. Second Peter 1:16 says, "For we had not followed kindly devised fables, we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." I I don't have a problem with Santa Claus. My kids were little. We point them out. Hey, look at there's Santa Claus, but we never told them that Santa Claus was real. We never gave them a gift from Santa Claus.

I don't understand parents who give their kids gifts from Santa Claus. I want them to know it. Dad paid for that. This is the guy you say thank you to, not some fat old guy in a red suit that's not going to be around. I want to make sure they knew. But, you know, he's a fable. He's a story. And we've read our kids' fables many times when they were growing up. And there's nothing wrong with that. But folks, we need to make sure we keep the focus on who is real. Do you ever notice the parallels? Jesus Christ is ageless or eternal, and so is Santa Claus. Jesus promises return with gifts for those who are good.

But so is Santa Claus. Jesus says, "I'll come as a thief in the night." And Santa Claus comes like a thief in the night. Jesus is a great giver of gifts. And Santa Claus is as well. Jesus is omnisient. He knows who's been good or bad. He's omnipotent. He can be everywhere at once. He's omnipresent. Folks, we need to not forget who Jesus is. You know, I I'm I'm not one of those that has to say Santa Claus should be, you know, gotten rid of. He's a great fable. It's a fun story. But the greater story is the story of God and the wonder of his son being born in a manger. And that's the story you and I need to tell.

And that's the story people need to see. So, we need to make it real. Go back to Luke chapter 2 and look at verses 18- 20. And all that heard it wondered at those things which were told him by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in their heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying, praising God for the things that they'd heard and seen as was told unto them. The wise men, they worshiped him. Matthew 2:1. When they were coming to the house, they saw a young child with Mary's mother and fell down and worshiped him. When they had opened their treasures, they presented with gifts, gold and frankincense and myrr.

They brought him their gifts. In Acts 20:35, it says, "I have showed you all things how that so laboring you ought to support the weak." Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he says, "More blessed to give than receive." I hope you've taken time to think about what you can give this year to Christ. And remember what he said, when you give it to the least of these, you've given it to me. And I hope we'll take time to remember that Christmas is his birthday and we need to celebrate him and give our lives to him. So what do you get for the one who has everything? One of my kids and my wife's complaints is what do they buy me for Christmas?

Dad, if you want something, you just go buy it. I always think it's kind of funny. My kids would come to me and say, "Dad, what do you want for Christmas?" And I'd say, "Well, you can get me this." And they'd say, "Well, give me money. I'll go buy it for you." So, what do you give Jesus? Go to Psalms chapter 50 if you would, please. Psalms chapter 50 and verses 7-14. Psalms chapter 50 begin verse 7. It says, "Hear, oh my people, and I will speak, oh Israel, and I will testify against thee. I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings to have been continually before me.

I will take no boolock out of the house, for he nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know the fowls of the mountains and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee, for the world is mine, the fullness thereof. He said, listen, I don't need anything from you except you. That's all he wants. That's all he needs for this Christmas. And that's what you and I should give him. In Romans 12:1 and 22, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable on him, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. is so hard to find that perfect gift for somebody you love, isn't it? As husbands, we struggle with that. What do we get to our wife? Wives struggle with that with their husbands. But with Jesus, he said, "Here's the perfect gift. I gave you myself and that's all I ask in return." You need to put his name at the top of your list this Christmas. 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 5. It says, "This they did, not as we hope, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, not unto us by the will of God."

Somebody wrote wrote a little poem. It goes like this. I had the nicest Christmas list, the longest one in town, till daddy looked at it and said, "You'll have to cut it down." I knew that he was what he said was true beyond the faintest doubt, but was amazed to hear him say, "You've left your best friend out. And so I scanned my list again and said, "Oh, that's not true." But daddy said, "His name's not there. That friend who died for you." And then I clearly understood to a Jesus whom he met for him would come should come. First of all, I hadn't planned a scent. I'd made a Christmas birthday list and left my savior out.

But oh, it didn't take me long to change that list about. And though I've had to drop some names of folks I I like a lot, my Lord must have the most because his name is at the top. Is Jesus at the top of your list this Christmas season? In Mark chapter 9 verse 41 it says for whosoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you belong to Christ. Verily I say unto you, you shall not lose your reward. This season you can give to Jesus by giving to others. This season you can give to Jesus by giving out of your poverty. You know Christmas is expensive but the Bible talks about in 2 Corinthians chapter 8.

Turn over there with me. 2 Corinthians chapter 8. Look at verses 1-4. 2 Corinthians chapter 8. In verses 1-4, Bible says, "Moreover, brethren, we do due to the way the grace of God bestowed in the churches of Macedonia. How then great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded on the riches of their liberality. For their power, I bear record. Yay. And beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much in treaty that would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of ministry to the saints. Some of the best Christmases I remember growing up were the years we had nothing.

My mom was a single mom. She barely put enough food on the table. When Christmas came, she she couldn't afford a whole lot. You know, one of the best Christmases I remember is the year all of our presents were wrapped in the Sunday funnies because she couldn't afford wrapping paper. The first present I opened that Christmas was underwear because I needed them. But still, one of the best Christmases ever because it was given out of my mom's poverty. It was given with joy and love. And that's what God asked from you and I as well to give joyfully. In 2 Corinthians chapter 9 and verses 6-8, it says, "But this I say, he which seweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly."

He which seweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes heart, so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity. For God loveth the cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that you always having all sufficiency all things may abound to every good work. God wants us to give with joy in our hearts. And God wants us to go and tell all the